TOSCA tools

CONSTRUCTION OF AN OBSERVATIONAL NETWORK BASED ON STATE OF THE ART TECHNOLOGY

Through the construction of an observational network, based on state of the art technology (HF radars and drifters), the project has provided, during the experimentation periods, real-time observations and forecasts of the marine environmental conditions in the Western and Eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. If the use of radars and drifters were to be extended, the observational network could deliver real-time information to the relevant authorities.

Example of the monitoring system installed in the Gulf of Naples

The Gulf of Naples monitoring network comprises five automatic weather stations distributed along the coasts of the Gulf.In addition to the above instruments, a CODAR-SeaSonde HF coastal radar system composed of three antennas is located in Portici, Massa Lubrense and Castellammare. The system has provided during the experiments, hourly data of surface currents over the entire gulf with a 1km spatial resolution.

OPTIMIZATION OF DRIFTERS ACCORDING TO THE TYPE OF OPERATION (OIL- SPILL TRACKING OR SAR OPERATIONS)

During the TOSCA experiments, different designs of drifters were made available by partners in view of assessing their water or oil-following capabilities and define the most suitable type to be used according to the operation (oil-spill or S&R). All drifters have been optimized with state-of-the-art communication technologies, allowing an easy set-up and regular communication on their successive positions.

Example of a «Spill Track» drifter

Specially adapted for TOSCA, “Spill Track”is designed to monitor oil spill position in the sea using fins made from lipophilic material. These drifters are designed to better stick to the oil spill.

LAVA SOFTWARE: ENHANCING PREDICTING MODELS

By blending radar and drifter data, it is possible to enhance the simulation of a drifting object. This is what TOSCA partners have achieved with LAVA. Customized for the TOSCA project, this software was tested with data gathered during observations off the coast of Toulon.

Project partners were thus able to calculate the differences in trajectory results when the model velocity fields were directly used, and when the model fields were corrected using LAVA. LAVA software can also be useful in regions where neither numerical model or HF radar are available by reconstructing the velocity field using only drifters.

The black dots show the successive positions of the floating buoys used, the green dots correspond to those predicted using the mathematical model

The pink dots represent the positions as corrected with LAVA

Illustration of the impact of the correction made to the model on transport of an object.

The black dots show the successive positions of the floating buoys used, the green dots correspond to those predicted using the numerical model.

The pink dots represent the positions as corrected with LAVA.

TOSCA GIS: HELPING DECISION MAKING IN CASE OF A MARITIME ACCIDENT

The data gathered by the project have been combined into a web based decision tool designed for authorities in charge of a maritime crisis. Based on the needs of local authorities from the Mediterranean basin, the system could be implemented at local level and provide critical data and applications:

Access to updated information concerning surface currents.

Visualize ocean currents and dispersion of an oil spill

Simulate the pathway of a floating object according to observed and modeled surface currents.